Jun 10, 2011

Fair Deal Rally June 16

Community social services workers take a stand

BURNABY— Community social services workers and their supporters are taking their call for a fair collective agreement into the streets of Vancouver on Thursday, June 16.

The early morning rally outside the offices of the Community Social Services Employers' Association (CSSEA) will draw public attention to the ongoing crisis in community-based services and what needs to be done to improve working and caring conditions throughout the sector.

In the midst of program cuts and group home closures, members voted by an average of 82 per cent to support strike action aimed at achieving job security and other collective agreement improvements.

At this time, the multi-union Community Social Services Bargaining Association (CSSBA) is negotiating agency-specific, essential services staffing levels, which should be finalized within the month.

Essential services staffing must be settled before job action can commence.

On June 6 and 7, CSSBA representatives met to develop a strike strategy focused on escalating job action throughout the summer, and develop the communication tools needed to mobilize action on the ground.

Members are urged to make sure their union has up-to-date contact information and to stay tuned to their union website and local bulletin boards for further developments.

The CSSBA includes nine unions representing about 15,000 workers employed by 220 agencies across British Columbia.